Bottle filling means



f.; 20, 1935. l F, w/MULLER 2,032,247

RNEY.

ug. 2G, 135. F. w. MULLER BOTTLE FILLING MEANS Filed May 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR.

/m/er/'ck M M11/er 1 ATTQRNEY.

Patented Aug.- 20, 1935 Y aclaran y BOTTLE FILLING MEANS FredericlrW. Muller, Hoboken, AN.,.lf., assignor to VThe Bishop & Babcock Manufacturing Com-V pany, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohiov Applicatin Mayes, 1933, serial N. '672,848 l' -"z'zcaims. (c1. 22e- 115)` This invention yrelatesto'bottle filling machines and relates particularly `to bottle lling machines of theV typejin which a plurality Vof 'bottles continuously fed to the rmachine are automatically Y '5 and successively 'filled with a beverage such as l beer, carbonated'syrup or thelike.

The invention comprises certain features of vimprovement over'the mechanism illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 956,285 and No. 956,286, issued to. J. E. Champ, April 26, 1910, to Which patcntsreference Vmay `be had fora fuller description of certain auxiliary parts ofthe bottleY fiiling machine hereinafter described in brief `and 'K not described. inV detail, these rpartsbeing Well known' in the art and particularly described in the said `prior Champ patent. i f This invention also comprises certain features fully illustrated and describedin the-patent to F.'W. Muller,fNo. 1,919,665,issued"-July 25,'v 1933, for improvements in Bottle filling machines and methods, and reference Will be made hereinto that'pat'ent-,for a more complete description'of certain elements of apparatus and steps of process brieiiyreferred to herein andnot constituting essential parts of the present invention. Ainthe Vsaid Muller patent,Y a bottle iillingvappara-tus andr method is described by which a'supply of the liquid beverage suchas' beer .is maintained in a bottle llling tank at a predetermined lsubsiantially constant level of liquid' in the Vtank andV at a predetermined substantially constant pressureof gas in the tank above the surface of the Aliquid therein, the gas Abeingv that which emanates fromfthe beer. j,

The tank isprovided with a plurality `of* beer outlets Vcontrolled byY automatically operated lvalves and a train of empty bottles is moved suc- -cessively into sealed relation with the outlets and beer'isy admitted to the bottle interiors bythe vvalves.A A closed counter-pressure reservoir or conduit system introduces air or other gas under pressure tothe interior of the-bottle being iilled,

opposing the iioW of the beverage thereinto.` The beverage flows into Ythe bottles under the joint .I

motivation of the gas pressure above the liquid in the tank and the gravity head ofthe liquid, and the counter-pressure supplied to the interiors of theA bottles is greaterthan the pressure'in the tank-above the liquid by a predetermined difference, leaving only a Yrelatively small resultant motivating effect whereby the beer flows rela.-V tve'ly slowly andV gentlyinto the bottles andagi-v tation and loss of gas from the beverage is prevented; l

The beer orlike beverage is supplied to the :to lill the bottlesfromyone or more relatively large reservoirs or government tanks located at a'level belovv the filling tanlrand `the beverage is forced therefrom and up into the tank bythe applicationiof pressure from an outsidesource to the beer in the government tanks. ToY maintain'.r the pressure of the gas above the liquid in" the filling tank substantially constant, the application of-,pressurerto the governmentjtanls is controlled by an automatic valve device responsive tothe pressure inthellling'tank.

` vThel rcounter-pressure supplied to the bottle interiors is, When'the bottle filling machine is rst started' up orlupon the occurrence of an accidentalle'ak Which may be occasioned by a broken bottle,l supplied from'an outside source of gas under-pressure; and in the normal operation of the machine, the counter-pressure vgas may be vthe air forcedfout'of preceding bottles of the train bythdovvf of the v.liquid thereinto. In order to maintain thes'aid` predetermined pressure difference 'of the bottle counter-pressure over the iiow 'motivating tankliquid head and tank pressure,

the application of outside` gas pressure to kthe counter-pressure system to maintain the counterpressure, and the ventingof the counter-pressure system to prevent the counter-pressure lfrom eX- ceeding a predetermined vvalu'e,ris eifectedby automatic valve,devicesgtheoperation of which isv controlled by the gas pressure `above `the liquid inv the filling tank. ,1

vIn ysaid Muller patent, one form of automatic `valve mechanism for 4thus controlling the counter-pressure responsive to' variations or tendency to vary of the pressure in the iilling `tank above vthe liquid islclearly set forth.

Itis an object of the instant inventionv to provide, in a bottleiilling apparatus of the class` referred to, an improved ,valveL mechanism for tankr continuously to replenishthat Withdrawn controllingthe counter-pressure applied to the bottle interiors; l 'Y t "Another object of the invention is to provide such animproved valve mechanism having means `responsive to .slight variations ofjthe pressure vin the lling tank for controlling the bottle counter-pressure. Y v

' Another object islto provide such: an improved valve' mechanism responsiveA to pressure in the lling tank for venting the bottle counter-pres(- 'surev system upon a rise 'or tendency to rise'there- Aof aboveaafpredetermined value andforadmit- Y tinglgas under pressure tothe bottle counterpressure system jupon a. tendency to fall or upon the occurrence of a fall thereof below a predetermined value.

Another object is to provide such a valve mechanism comprising a single valve device for maintaining substantially constant the said bottle counter-pressure.

Another object is to provide such a valve mech- Fig. l is a view illustrating in some respects diagrammatically a bottle filling machine and an embodiment of myinvention forming a part thereof; Y

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view to an enlarged scale of a valve mechanism embodying my invention and :shown to a smaller scale in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View of apart of the machine of Fig. l, drawn to a larger scale and illustrating in section a valve mechanism shown in elevation in that figure. Y

Referring to the drawings, I have shown generally at I a bottle filling machine standing' upon a floor 2, the machine comprising a beverage liquid bottle lling supply tank 3 in the upper portion thereof. The tank 3 is rotatable with and supported upon a central 'tubular column 4 and rotating power is supplied by aworm and gear mechanism 6.

A conduit l communicates withthe interior of the tubular column 4, and interiorly thereof joins with a conduit 8 discharging-into the tank 3 and a suitable rotary coupling (not shown) connects the conduit l with the conduit 8 whereby the tank 3 .and conduit 8 may rotate relatively to the conduit 1.

A disc 9 rotates with the column 4 and supports a plurality of annularly disposed bottle lift devices Iii-I and bottle filling valve devices il-EYI, the latter being 4shown separately and to a larger scale in Fig. 3.l By the construction thus brieiiy described it will be apparent that the tank 3 and the 'entire superstructure including the disc 9,`bottle lift devices Ii) and valves II may all be rotated as a unit with the tubular column d.

The operations of the machine, generally with respect tothe mechanical movementtransmitted to the bottles, the operation ofthe valve devices il, and the iilling of the bottles from liquid in the tank 3, are similar to the operations described in the aforesaid Champ patents and need not be described in complete detail here. It may sufficeV to say that generally the bottles, two of Awhich are indicated at l2 and I3, are placed on the bottle iii-c devices lem, a relatively large number of which is provided. The lift devices are arranged to travel in a circular path as described above about the axis of the tubular column 4. The bottles start in their movements from a depressed position such as that illustrated for the bottle i3V wherein filling has not yet been started'and are moved to` an elevated Aposition illustrated for the bottle I2 wherein fillingmay be accomplished.

The different bottles are progressively moved from the preliminary position I3 to the ultimate position I2 and are then lled and thence moved to a discharge position on the other side of the machine where they are again depressed from the filling position and are removed from contact with the filling valve structure I I, which will be described, and are then capped.

The form of the machine shown in the drawingsis oneladapted to continuously loperate in connection with, a continuous succession of bottles, the operations being successive, overlapping and continuous from the time the bottles are placed on the lift until they-are removed therefrom after being carried in a rotative path around the'machine Y In the following description of parts of the' machine and their mode of operation more pertinent to the instant invention, reference will be had chiefly to the filling of aY single bottle considering it as entering the apparatus as indicated at I2 and continuing until the bottle has been filled and removed from its supporting lift IU.

The lift devices I are operated by compressed air supplied,`from a source and in a manner to be described, to a headerV I4 rotatable with the other parts of the superstructure described and connected by .a conduit I5 to the lift device.

The valve device II, shown separately in Fig. 3, comprises a rotatable valve element I rotatable to different successive positions by a crank II as the latter engages stationary abutments during the rotation of the machine superstructure,.and may admit air from the header Ill, the conduit I5, and branch conduit IB, (Figs. 1 and 3) through a valve port I9 either directly tothe Vlift device I0 or to the atmosphere through a duct 20, to operate the lift device.

'I'he operations of the lift device in connection with the valve device herein briefly referred to, and illustrated in simplied form, are described more completely in said Muller patent to which reference may be had for a more complete description.

The valve device II, Fig. 3, has depending therefrom a filling tube 2l upon-which is telescopically slidably mounted a sealing cap 22. As the bottle is moved upwardly by the lift device I0, the tube 2i enters the mouth of the bottle I2 and the bottle picks up the cap 22 land carries it upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3 which is the nal upward position of the Vbottle before filling it. The bottle is sealed on a sealing washer V23 in the cap 22 and the latter is itself sealed as at 24 on a packing Z5 on the device.

When the bottle is thus sealed ready for filling, the'valve Iii-is turned another part of a revolution which simultaneously opens the port 2B in the valve, effecting communication between the interior of the tank 3 and the iilling tube 2|, allowing liquid in the tank 3 to flow through the tube into the bottle; and admitting air or other gas from a header 27 through a conduit 28 and through a second valve port 29 to a chamber 39 in a housing 32 of the valve device and thence through a space 3l around the tube 2| into the bottle I2. v Y

As will be more fully described, liquid in the supply tank 3 is maintained under pressure of gas above the level of the liquid and the air or gas pressure applied to the interior of the bottle I2 from the header 2 is maintained slightly in excess of the pressure in the Vtank above the liquid so that the Vremaining force causing liquid to flow from the tank into the bottle through the tube is less, bya predetermined amount, than the hyconduit 46 and the conduit 40 to the interior of the tank 3. The pressure inthe tank is thus permitted to increase until it indicates a predetermined pressure such as five pounds on the gauge 55. The valve 58 may then be closed. The valve '1| or l2, or both, are then opened to admit the supply pressure to the tanks 33 above the liquid therein. The valve 60 is then slowly opened and beer is forced out of the tank |53l upwardly .through the conduits l and 8 into the tank 3.

It is assumed that at this time the level ofthe liquid in the tank 3 is below the normal predetermined desired level and therefore the yiioat 52 is in a lowered position which holds open the valve port 53', As the liquid flows into the tank 3 its rising level is indicated on the gauge 5|.

To insure that it will rise to thecorrect level, the

vent 55 is partly opened manually to allow some of the gas in the tank to escape and to be replaced by liquid. When a desired level has been reached, the float 52 closes the valve port 53 and then the vent 55 is opened its full amount for subsequent release. purposes. Venting at the vent 55 ceases when liquid has reached its correct level. The rising level of liquid in thetank 3 tends to increase the pressure above its surface as indicated on the gauge 55. Until the predetermined level is reached, the gas above-the liquidrmay escape through the vent 55 'so that regardless of the pressure above the liquid, the liquid will continue to rise to the predetermined level. But inall cases and at all times, the pressure in the tank above the liquid is prevented from rising from the predetermined value such as ve pounds regardless of the value of the pressure externallyraplplied to the reservoirs 63, by the compensator valve device which will now be described.

Upon establishing the predetermined level-fin the tank and at the predetermined pressure, the` machine may be revolved and the bottling process resumed. As the liquid rises in the tank 3, the air which was introduced thereinto is displaced by gas emanating from the beer, carbonated beverage or like liquid supplied to the tank. Thus the space in the tank above theV liquid is out off from contact with contaminating air, when the source of pressure supply is compressed air.

`'I'he compensator valve device 69 may be variously constructed and the exact construction thereof does not form an essential part of the present invention. One form of such valve device is shown and described in detail in the above mentioned Muller patent.

In general, it comprises an upper housing 'I5 and a lower housing 16 and a, circular diaphragm 'I9 clamped between flanges Ti and 18 on the housings. A valve, not shown, is disposed Vin the line of the conduit 58 and in the housing 16 adapted to move to open and close the conduit ine; and adapted to be moved, by movement of the diaphragm T9, which moves responsive to changes of pressure in the conduit 10, the conduit communicating with the interior of the housings.

In general, the device is `so arranged that upon an increase of pressure in-the conduit 10 occurring upon an increase of pressure in the tank above the liquid, the diaphragm 'I9 is moved to move the said valve to reduce the flow through the conduit line 68, or to shut it oil entirely; and vice versa. For a morecomplete description of Athe operation ofthe valve device |59, reference may be had to the said Muller patent.

When the pressure in the tank 3 above the liqquid, transmitted vfrom the tank throughv the conduitrll, and conduit 10, exceeds a predetermined pressure such as ve pounds, the valve device 69 cuts oi the supply of pressure from the conduit 5T Yto the tanks 53-63, and stops further supply of liquid to the tank 3. pressure in the tank 3 correspondingly should fall the device will operate to admit pressure to the'ftanks 63, and admit more liquid to the tank 3, which in turn tends torcompress the gas above the liquid and raise the pressure thereof to correspondingly prevent the admission of more liquid when the predetermined desired level and pressure in the tank has been'reached.

^ The drawingr of liquid'from the tank 3 to ll the bottles in the operation of the machine tends to reduce the pressure above the liquid in the tank andthis. by means of the compensator valve described, eiIects the application of pressure to lthe reservoirs 63-63 to elevate more liquid into the tank :land restore the pressure therein. In practice the regulation .is accomplished continuously so that the level in the tank and the pressure Vthereabove are maintained substantially constant. f

If, due to any extraneous cause, pressure in the tank, 3 above the liquid should increase in spite of the fact that outside pressure was cut off from the reservoirs 63 by the compensator valve, the liquid would, tend to fall slightly, and, through the action of the oat'52, would open the valve port 53 and vent some of the pressure through the vent valve 55 to restore the predetermined pressure. If, similarly, due to any extraneous cause, the pressure in the rtank above the liquid Vshould decrease, the .compensator valve would effect application of pressure tothe reservoirs 63-63 toi-estore the pressure in the tank 3 but at a higher level than the desired level. This could be counter-acted by admitting gas under pressure into the conduits 56--70 by momentarily opening thevalve 58 to restore the liquid to its former predetermined level and then again shutting 01T the valvev 58 after which the apparatus will operate as described to maintain the level and pressure in the tank 3.

'The change of pressure in the tank 3 by the referred to extraneouscauses does not occur in the Yordinary operation of the apparatus and when .erate over long periods of time maintaining the pressure andlevel inthe tank 3 substantially constant. .They are only mentioned here to show that the apparatusand systems are operable to correct abnormal conditions which might arise.

The elements of the system and apparatus for applying counter-pressure to the interiors of the bottles willnow be described. A regulator valve device, shown generally at |36 in Fig. 1 and illustrated separately to a larger scale in Fig. 2, is connected to the conduits 'I3 and 4l, and to a conduit |05 communicating with the pressure supply of air or other ygas V57 in connection with the following construction.

The regulatorl valve device |05 comprises an Vupper housing portion |01, an intermediate housing portion |08, and a lower housing portion iis'i.

vA diaphragm l I is clamped by bolts i l between |01 above the diaphragm ||0.

A head H4 is rigidly secured to a central portion of the diaphragm il@ by meansl of a shoulder portion on the head, a stem H5 extendl Ving, upwardly from the head and through a cen- IftheV IIB, and thediaphragm'being, clampedbetweenthe flange and the shoulder portion VI l b y screwing-the nut ||1 on the stem IHS.k Y

- each side of the diaphragrn'under the iiange I I8 and above the shoulder portiony I i5. l A compression spring |29 in an upwardly-extending tubular portion |2| ofthe housing portion |61 presses, downwardly ontherliaphragm 0, one end of the spring abutting uponfthe ange 8 and other end abuttingupona cap element |22 having'acentral recess |23 into which the end of an adjusting-'screw |24,l isflod'gedQ'the a screw beingithreaded intothe closed upper end.

of the tubular portion ,|2I.: 5 l Y,

By this means upon turning thesorew |2l|`the 'tension ofthe spring |2infiay` beacljusted, .as will be understood. 1 l v f The head I I @below the, diaphragm' I m extends downwardly in parti-tubular form, as at |25, the inner parti-cylindrical surface |26 thereofV -being telescoped-over the corresponding parti-cylindrical Vouter surface |21 ofia parti-tubular `recipro` catory head |28.- 'Irhelowe'rvend yof the tubular portion |25 oi the head' i4 abuts-upon a shoulder |29o'n the head |28, when the diaphragm isin a nlower position', tofbe described.-

Thehead |28 comprisestwo partsA securedI to a diaphragmIB clamped-between flanges |3| and |32 on the housing portionsinnd |99 by bolts f |33. One part ofthe said'head being the part |28, above referred togivhich is provided withrv a n downwardly extendingthreaded stem |34 'which projects through a central perforation-in vthe y diaphragm |39, and the other part |35 havinga central perforation threaded on the stem| 34' and projecting downwardly therefrom in the Vpartitubular portion |38. The diaphrag'rir |35" is clamped betweenopposite shoulderportions on the parts |28 andv |35 of the' reciprocato'ryv head. Y The part |36 of the reciprocatory head'hassecured to the lower end'thereof, afgui'de' |3 '|"'c'orr1Y prisingan axially elongated body "porti'n'IBxSL guided for verticalfreciprocatory movement in a bore Y|319 of the lower housing portion |692'V and having on its upper end av generally` cup-form iiange |130 embracing the lowerfencll of the-headv part |36, and securedthereto by screws |41' projected through perforations in the cup-forrnportion and threaded Vinto the head part |35.'- 'y f The guide `|38 terminates downwardly VinV an axially disposed pointedA portion |42vr engaging a recess in an uppe'rspring guide |113, havingthe neck portion |44V anda flange" |45; Av similar spring head |46 is rdisposed axiallyvrspacedi'from the springvr head'Y |43 Aand upsidedown vrrelative thereto.`v A compression spring Hl'lis disposed between the two springV heads and' abutting upon the flanges |45-| 45thereof-.

An adjusting screw If'th'readedV axiallyin 'the lower end of the lower housing portion Ifhas,

' scribed, and by turning the screw|i|8`,v thetension ofthe spring may be adjustedf Y Substantially enclosed bythe downwardlyfextending tubular portion |25- of the head Y I M .is a valve construction comprising an L -shaped tubular conduit 53- havingva vertical leg `|551 upwardly open kand termina-tinggin anannular `valve seat |55 surrounding ayalve port |56 and ahorizontal leg,l |51 joined `to the housing portion |8and providing a passageway firom the port |56 through the` vertical andhorizontallegs 55d` and |51-to 1- the exterior of the housing portion`|8. n n The above described parti-.tubularportion |25 or thexhead'lrlland Vthel-parti-tubular part |28 are provided with longitudinally vor axially extending notches or forksjrespectively lI 58 and |559,

of the tubularv portion |25.

Upon the valfe seat |55 is a valve element II sealingly engaging the saine, and normally spring pressed thereupon by a spring |52 surrounding estabiisjhedbetweentne imei-ierv 'and the exterior a valve stem I 63 andabutting at one end upon the Y valve ISI and at the'other'upo'n an inner shoulder on the head IM. f

The-valve stem |63 vextends"axially upwardly r through the head H4 and' interne threaded' stem- IIS and is slidable axially 'th`erein. f

A Cotter pin "|65 'is projected ytransversely through the head I|l| and through an axially elongated perforation or yslot in the valve stern |33. j

By' the construction just described, upon upwardmovementfof the diaphragm IIQ, occasioned inthe operation of there'gulated'devic'e tofbe more :fully described', the' head IMy is moved upwardly thereby,- the tubular portion |25 sliding telescopically on thel tubular portion of the head |28, and

Ythe cotter pin |65 moving" upwardly in the slot AISI'in` the valvestem |53. Aftera predetermined small` movement, the'cotterl pin will pick up the .valve,st'emaiidliiftthe valvev |63' from the valve vseat |55, ope'ning. the valve port |56 and establishingicon'ilriuiiica'tionbetween the space interioriy of the housingportier,1` 08, and/ or theinteriorofv the head'IIlI to' the atmosphere through'the conduit|53s Y Upo'n' downwardnrovernent of the Ydiaphragm '45 vI'I'IJ--the jv'alveK4 element 15| is resiliently seated upon tlrie-va-lve'seat'I'.ivandl the legs of thevslot 'l'tiin the stem |63 permit Vdownward movement of the diaphragm beyond the valve-,seating poi sition. Thus"thediaphraginhasalimited'movevment upwardly and downwardly without disturbing the seal ofthe-valve* element on thevalve within the tebuiar portion; istv or the' head a`n L-sr,aped"conduitl |6518'v having a vertical leg- I 6B' terminating-in aA downwardlyjopen valve lport |10,l surround'edlby anlannulaijvalve seat' |1|, the horizontal 1eg|12'of theV conduit communieating with the exterior of` the housing` portion IUS' in an interiorly threaded boss' |13l into which the, conduit IE5, hereinbefore referredl to, isthreaded and sealed; upper @Clion of the body |38 of theguidel31fis'provideol' with a sealing washer |14 adapted 'to' seal the valve seat |1| when'- in an upper! pjositi'on. l

The parti-tubular portion |36 is providedwith a` longitudinalor axially extending notchor 'slot |15 strad'dling the' leg *|12 of the conduituln,

and the `interior of the partv |35 Yo f the lhead 28 vcomrnunicate's with'the' space Qabovefthe. diaphragrn |3', vthrough a passageway |116 extending axiaiiy :thrmigiiithe:threededstem vvin. and

interne-intenti? grtnehead t28;y and 'a plurality of perforations |15 in the wall of the-head |28' effeet communication between theinterior and the exterior thereof; A cylindrical weight |11 rests upon an annular bead |18 at the upper mouth of the passageway |16 and Vacts in the general na-Vv ture of a valve for a purpose to' be described.

The conduit 41 communicates with the interior of the housing portion |89 and hence with the interior of the part |35 and by way of thepassageway |16 with the interior of the housing portion |68.

ABy means of the parts thus far described, if .the diaphragm H6 is moved downwardly the tu- 'cular portion |25 of the head ||4 will, by abutting upon the shoulder |29, force the head|28 comprising the'part |35 downwardly, bending the diaphragm ISEE, and force the valve seat |14 away from Vthe valve port |1| against the tension. of the spring |4'i' and permit the entrance of* air or other gas to the conduit |65, thro-ugh the valve port I'iI and into the part |35 and/or the housing portion |69. I

Upon upward movement ofthe diaphragm I I0, the spring |41 will elevate the valve element Y|14 to close the valve portY 11| and further upward movement will be stopped by the stationary valve seat |18.

'l'.ne conduit 10 is connected to the housing portion mi to Vcommunicate with the interior thereof above the diaphragm IIB.

In the operation of the regulator device, in connection with the apparatus of Fig; 1, it will be observed that at all times'the upper'sidelof v 3 5., the diaphragm H0 issubjected to the pressure of the gas above the level of liquidin the filling tank by means of the conduit 10, tending to move the diaphragm downwardly. The spring |20 assists this gas pressure. At the time of starting up the apparatus there is no opposingpressure on the lower side of the diaphragm |'|0, and therefore the diaphragm 'assumes its lowermost position, closingthe valve port |56 and` opening the valve port |1|. y y O Air or other gas under pressure from the conduit 57 is then admitted t0 thecondut |05 and it Iiows through the valve port |1| upwardly through the passageway |16', liftingthe Weight |11, and flowing into the housing' |08 to the lower side of the diaphragm i6; and iiowngalso into the housing portion |09 and thence through the conduit 41 to the header 21 for application to bottle interioraas described above.

The incoming gas or air causes an accumulation of pressure in the counter-pressure system just referred to andreaches a value suflicient to 4raise the diaphragm IIE] closing theI valve port lli and shutting oif further increase of counterpressure. Inasmu'ch as the counter-pressure o-n the diaphragm must oppose both the tank gas pressure in the conduit 16 and the spring |20, it may continue to increase 'until it is in excess over the gas pressure above the diaphragm III) by the predetermined amount necessary to compress thespring |2. In this way the counterpressure is always greater than" the tank vgas pressure by a predetermined amount, which can be varied by adjusting the tension of the spring In the operationof the bottle lling machine above described, when the liquid flowing into the bottles forces the counter-pressure lgas out of the bottle, the air in the counter-pressure system discharged thereintovfrom a succession of bottles, accumulates and causes the counter-pressure to increase. This 'as will now be understood causes the diaphragm H0 Vto'be gradually moved upwardly and ultimately to open the valve port |56 "whereupon counter-pressure or bottle air is vented through the valve port to the atly 'or intermittently dischargeexcess bottleY airv through the valve port |56 to-the atmosphere.

Should the tank pressure above the liquid therein increase due to any extraneous cause, it will lower Athe diaphragm IID fromvits normal position and admit more air tothe counterpressure system to maintain the predetermined pressure difference, Similarly,A shouldthe tank gas pressure decrease due to any extraneous cause, the'diaphragm ||0 will be lraised by the excess counter-pressure and vent a part thereof to establish the predetermined pressure diierence.

The spring |41 may be Vadjusted to counterbalance the weight of the parts and' to prevent opening of the valve port |1| by pressure supplied through the conduit |05. Y

Furthermore, adjustingV the spring |26 alone will adjust the venting counter-pressure and adjusting the spring |41 alone will adjust-the value of counter-pressure at which more gas-or air Vis admitted to thesystem. Adjusting either or both springs in the direction to assist the counterpressure in moving the diaphragm i0 upwardly, will reduce the predetermined pressure difference between the tank gas pressure 'and the bottle counter-pressure and therefore will cause the bottles to fill at a higher level, and vice versa at a lower level whereby thelevel in the bottle ,mayl be adjusted. j

Byproviding the weightl |11 to resist the ow of gas or air 'through the passageway |16, surges thereof 4are prevented and the operation is at all times rendered smooth. Y p

By employing the diaphragm |351, the flow of air is forced to occur through the passagewair |16. f f' As will now be understood from the foregoing description, in the operation of the machine as a whole, the interior of a bottle such as the bottle I2 is first subjected to the pressure of the air or other gas'in the header 21 and then, as the liquid flows from the tank 3 into the bottle, the gaseous contents of the bottle are forced out and back into the header 21. Thus there isla tendency for pressure to accumulate inthe conduit system 721-41 and a tendency for the bottle pressure tojexceed thejhead of the liquid and the pressure thereabove by'more than a'predetermined diierence. This will tend to close the valve port. |1| in the regulator device ii and thentov stop the supply of pressure through the conduit |65 Vfrom the outside source. I To prevent the accumulation of pressure occasioned by adding the bottle air to the system, it may vent to the atmosphere from the device |06 through the y valveport |56 through the vent |86. On the other hand', to maintain therbot'tle pressure to prevent its Vfalling below the predetermined difference,

Vthe regulator |06 may admit pressure 'from the excess of pressure in.` thebot'tle over that'of the head of liquid and pressure in the tank-'3. f n' From the foregoing it win be observed that the entire system supplying pressure to the bottle interiors is maintained distinct and isolatedfrom the gas above the level' of the beer orother bever- Y age inthe tank 3 so that the more or Vless'fioul and/or unsterile air from thebottlescannot contaminate the beer or beverage in the ller tank by contact `with it. It will also be., observed in the foregoing descriptionY that thev beer idowa at a `relatively L relatively small hydraulic head. YIheratefo ilo'w Y is maintained constant, fnrst by maintaining a 'wlevel of liquid and pressure in theV taliklisub-Y stantially constant by the compensator above described and by regulating the bottle Ipressure by the regulating device E06 responsive to the tank pressure. It will furthermore be observed that by makingY slight adjustments of the said difference of pressure between the counter-presure and the tank pressure, the bottle may be caused to be lle'd Vto an Vexact predetermined level and no farther, at which level the counter-v r pressureexactly balances lthe pressure lof the gas abovethe liquid in the' tank' plus lthe pressure of the/hydraulic head of the tank liquid lowing'into4 therbottle;V f Y Myinvention is not limited to the exact method illustrated and described hereinnor tothe exact details ci construction whereby the methodl may be practiced inasmuch as many modications and changes may be made Within the Scope and spirit cf my invention without sacrificing its advan-V tages.Y i

claim: i l .Y f1;y Irina bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply trank containing liquid under pressure rof gasin the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the'tank to "a bottle tobe filled, a counter-pressure gas' container containing gas under pressure greater byl a pre` determined difference than the tank'gaspressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pres-k sure gas tothe bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure dinerence substantially,constantcomprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduitfmeans for conducting gasfrorn the :source to the counterpressure container', and a single automatic means responsive to changes Yof tank gas pressure for controlling admission of gas to the container' and discharge of gas therefrom. f 2. In a bottle llingv. apparatus, a liquid 'supply tank containing liquid yunder pressure of' gasrin the tank above .the liquid surface, conduitmeans for conducting liquid from the tanktoiabottl'e to be Llled, a counter-pressure ga's, 'container Vcrmtaining gas under pressure greater by predetermined diference than the tank gaspressure, conduit v`means gfor Conducting counterpressure gas to the bottle interior V`to oppose 'the Vflow of liquid thereinto under themotivation of. gastank means for maintaining the said pressuregdifference substantially constantrcomprising a supply source ofgas under pressure, conduit `means for conducting gas from the sourceto the lcountervpressure container, and a single automatic means responsive to changes of tank-gas kpressurejior controllingadmission of gasto the containerv and discharge of gas therefrom uponfanincrea'se" or decrease respectively Vof tank gas pressure.

3;, In a bottle fillingapparatus, aV liquid supply tank containingV liquid vunder pressure of v.gasi in the tank aboveA the liquid surface, conduit means for conductingiliquid from'the tankto ai bottle to be filled, a'counter-pressure gas container Containing gas. under 4pressure greaterby a pre-V determined diierencethan the tankv gas' pres- Vsure, conduit means Y for' conducting counter- ,pressure gas tot the bottle interior to oppose `.the

ow olliquid thereintoA underv themotivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank,v and ymeans for maintainingthe said'pressure dierence-.substantially constant'comprising a supply sourcerof gas under pressure, conduit means Vfor conducting gas from the source tothe counter-,pressurecontainer,and a single automatic means Vresponsive to` changes of lcounterpressure for controlling"admission of' gasto the container` and discharge of gas therefrom respectively uponl a decrease or increase of'counterpressure. f Y U 4. In a bottle lling apparatus, a liquid supply tankE containing liquid under pressure of A`gassin the tank above theliquid surface, conduit means Yfor concilucting liquid from the tank to a bottle tobe. filled, .a counter-pressure gas container containinggas und-er pressure greater vby a prede-` termined differencethan the ltankgas pressure, conduit means ior conducting counter-pressure rgas tothe bottle` interior l liquid thereinto under the motivationof gas tank pressure andhead of liquidiin the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure difference substantially' constantcomprising ai supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means forV conducting gas from the source to the counter-pressure con:l tainer, and a single automatic/means responsive tqfchanges of tank gas pressure andvpressure in-the container for controlling admission of gas tothe container and dischargeof gas therefrom respectively upon the occurrence o f a decrease o f thesaid predetermined pressure diierence or-,an

Yincrease thereof 5.1111 abottle lling apparatus, ,a liquid supply tank `containing liquid under pressureof Agas in the tankl aboveY the liquid surface, conduit means f forY conducting. liquid from the tank to a bottle to be filled, a counter-*pressure gas container con-v taining ygas under pressure greater by a prede- -terminedrdifference than lthe tank gas pressure,

conduit means `for 1 conducting counter-pressur gas to the bottle interior Vto Voppose therflow `of liquid` thereinto under the motivation G gas tank pressure andv head of vliquid in the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure diference substantially constant comprising ar supply source of Ygas underrpressure, A,conduit means vfor conducting ygas'frorn the sourceto Ythe counter-pressure container, and a single automatic, means responsive 'to changesv of tank gas pressure for controlling admission of` gas .to the tontainer and pressure and head'io'f liquid in the. Itankfandto oppose the iiow vof so' Y discharge of gas therefrom respectively upon a decrease or; increase of theY Said predetermined pressure diierence.

6: In;abattre,auinaapreretus, aliqld supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure greater yby a predetermined difference than the tank gas pressure, conduitmeans for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to. oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and means for maintainingthe said pressure difference substantially constant comprisinga supply sourceV of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counter-pressure container, and a single automatic valve means comprising a valve controlling flow of counterpressure gas to the container and a valve controlling a vent from the container .and a pressure-responsive movable element for operating the valves subjected to pressure of the tank gas above the liquid.

7. In a bottle lling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be filled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure greater by a predetermined difference than the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the now of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure difference substantially constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counter-pressure container, and a single automatic valve means comprising a valve controlling lovv of counter-pressure gas to the container and a valve controlling a vent from the container and a pressure-responsive movable element for-operating the Vvalves subjected to the pressure of counter-pressure gas inY the container. v

8. In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containingliquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the'tank to a bottle to be filled, a counter-pressure-gas container containing gas under pressure greater by a predetermined.

difference than the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure ga's to the bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid inthe tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure diierence substantially constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counter-pressure container, and a single automatic valve means comprising a valve controlling new of counter-pressure gas to the container and a valve controlling a vent from rthe container and a pressure-responsive movable element for operating the valves subjected to pressure of gas above the Yliquid and to the pressure of counter-pressure gas in the container.

9. In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to aibottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure greater by a predetermined difference than the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the now of liquid thereinto under the motivation of` gas tank pressure and head of liquid inthe tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure difference substantially constant v comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counter-pressure container, and a single automatic means for controlling admission of gas to the container and discharge of gas therefrom comprising a chamber having a movable dividing Wall the opposite sides thereof being subjected to the tank gas pressure and counter-pressure respectively, and the Wall being movable responsive to a predetermined differenceof-pressure occasioned by a variation or one or both said pressures, and valves controlling the admission of counter-pressure gas to the cony tainer and the venting ofv gas from the container correspondingly operable by movement of the movable Wall.

10. In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank-containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid'surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure greater by a predeterminedrdiiference than the tank gas pressure, oonvduitmeans for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank presy sure and head of liquid in the tank, and a single automatic means for maintaining the said predetermined diierence of pressure substantially constant comprising a Walled chamber, a movable Wall dividing the chamber, a conduit communicating gas tank pressure to one side of the movable wall and a conduit communicating counterpressure from the container to the other side, a spring tending to move the wall assisting the gas tank pressure, a valve Vfor venting the chamber on the counter-.pressure'side of the wall operable by movement of the wall upon a preponderance of counter-pressure in the chamber, and a valve admitting counter-pressure thereto operable by movement of the Wall vupon a preponderance of gas tank pressure.

1l. In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from'the tank to a bottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure greater by a predetermined diierence than the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting .counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and a single automatic means responsive to increase or decrease of tank gas pressureior increasing or decreasing respectively the counter-pressure for maintaining the said pressure difference substantially constant. f

12. ,In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure o gas in the tank above the liquid surface; conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure different by a predetermined amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure difierence substantiallyr constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counterin the aboveV the liquid surface, conduit to be'lled, acounter-pressure gas container containing'gas under pressure diiierent by a predetermined. amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure 'gas to the bottle interior to oppose the flow vof liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquidiin the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressurefdiierence sub-A stantialiy,constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas-'from the sourceV to the counter-pressure container, and a-single automatic means responvvsive to changes oi tank gas pressure for controlling admissioniof gas to the container and discharge ofY gas therefrom upon an increase or `decrease respectively'of Vtank gas pressure.

i4. In abottl-e filling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liq'uidunder pressure of gas means for'conducting liquid' from the tank to' a bottle tobe fil-led, ka counter-pressure gas container containing gas under-pressure different by a predetermined'amoimt from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for'conducting counter-pressure: gas to the bottle interior to oppose the flow of liquid'thereinto under the motivation'of gas` ltank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and

means for maintaining the said pressure'difer'- ence substantially constant comprising a supply sourceY oi gasjunder pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from .the source to the counterpressure container, and a single automatic means responsive -to changes of counter-pressure for controlling admission of gas to the container and discharge of gas therefrom respectively upon l a decrease or increase of counter-pressure.

l5. Inra bottle lling apparatus, a'liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from thel tank to a bottle to be filled, a counter-pressure gas container containing'gas under piressure-diierent by a predetermined amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for/ conducting counter-pressure gas to theV bottle interior ,to oppose the flow of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid inthe tank, and

means for maintaining the said'pressurediien" ence substantially constant comprisingasupply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counterpressurecontainer, and a single automatic means responsive tochanges of tank gas pressureand pressure in the container for controlling admission of gas to the container and discharge of gas vtherefrom respectively upon the occurrence of a decrease of the said predetermined pressure dif.- ference or an increase thereof.

16. In a bottle lling apparatus, a liquid supply'.V

tank containing liquidl under pressure `of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means.v for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be filled, a counter-pressure gas 'container containing gas under pressure Ydiierentby a predetermined amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to 'oppose the i'loW ofA Y means Yfor rmaintaining the said vfpressure'v. difierence substantially constant 'comprising a supply source'of gas under Vpressure,conduit means for conducting gas fromV the source to the counterpressure container, `and a single'automatic-means responsive to -.changes of tank `gas pressurelior controlling admission of gas to the containerand discharge of gas: therefromrespectively upon a decrease or'increas'e 'of the rsaidpredete'rmined pressurediierenoerf I liquid tl'iereinto Yunderthe'motivation ori' gas "tank Y pressure and-head-y orA liquid in the tank,and

,17; Ina bottle'llingfapparatus, :a liquid supply H tank containing liquid under pressure 'of vgas in the tank abovetiieliquid surface', conduit means for conducting liquid from `the tank )to -a bottle tobe Ailled', a counter-pressure gas container sure gas to the bottle interior to Aoppose the flovv of Vliquid thereintoY under the motivation of vgas and'nie'ansior'maintaining the'l said pressure diiierencesubstantially 'constant comprising a supply source o'fgas under pressure, conduit means for conductingjgas from the sourcetothe counter-pressure y' container, Y and Y a single vauto-` matic valve means comprising a valve" controlling lovvof counter-pressure gas to the container'and containing `gas runder ypressure"different by Va predetermined amount-from the'tank vgas pressure, conduit means forconductingcounter-pres- 'd tank pressure:andv head of liquid 'in the tank,

a4 valve lcontrolling'a vent from the container` landa pressure-responsive movable element for Voperating the valves subjected to pressure of the tank gas above the liquid.

' ,181. In a'bottlerlling apparatus`,ra liquid'Sllpply o tank containingliquidfunder pressureof gas in the tank' above the liquid surface,conduity means for conducting liquid from the tank toa bottle to'be'filled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas underpress'ure different by a prede- .fi termined amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting munter-pressureY gas to the bottle interiorlto oppose the flovv Aof liquid thereinto under the `motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in theV tank, and

meansfor maintaining the said pressure differx ence 'substantially constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure,=conduit means for conductinggas'from the source to the counterpressure container, and a single automatic valve means comprising a valvefcontrolling flow of counter-pressure gas to the container and ar yValve controlling a vent fromthe container and a pressure-responsive movable element for operating the Valves subjected to the pressure of: .counter-pressure gas in the container.

l19.r In a bottle filling apparatus, la liquid supply Vtank' containing liquid under pressure of gas inY the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means or conducting liquid fromy the'tank toa bottle to be lled, a counter-pressure gas container con. ltainingrgas underpressure different by a'predetermined amount from the tank gas pressure,

vconduit means for conducting counter-pressure" a gasto the bottle interior to oppose the W of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank 4 pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and

means for maintainingthe said pressure differenceV substantially constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to the counterpressure container, and a single automatic'valve means comprising a kvalvecontrolling flow of d counter-pressure gas to the container and a valve controlling a vent from the container and a pressure-'responsive movable element for operating the valves subjected to pressure of vgas above the liquid and to the pressure of counter-pressure gas in the container. Y 20. In a bottle iilling apparatus, a liquid supply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be lled, `a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressurel different by a predetermined amount from the tank gas pressure, conduit means for conducting counter-pressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the now of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas'tank pressure'and headof liquid-in the tank, and means for maintaining the said pressure difference substantially constant comprising a supply source of gas under pressure, conduit means for conducting gas from the source to thecounter-pressure container, and a single automatic means for controlling admission of gas to the container and'discharge of gas therefrom comprisingra chamber having a movable dividing wall the opposite sides thereof being subjected to the tankgas pressure and counter-pressure respectively, and the wall being movable responsive to a predetermined difference of pressure occasioned by a Variation of one or both said pressures, and valves controlling the admission of counterfpressure gas to the container and the venting of gas from the container correspondingly operable by movement of the movable Wall.

21. In a bottle filling apparatus, a liquid sup-A ply tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from the tank to a bottle to be nlled, a counter-pressure gas container containing gas under pressure different byra predetermined amount Vfrom the tank gas' pressure, conduit means for conducting ,countenpressure gas to the bottle interior to oppose the Yilovv of liquid thereinto under the motivation of gas tank pressure and head of liquid in the tank, and a single automatic means for maintaining the said pre-V determined Vdifference of pressure .substantially constant comprising a Walled chamber, a movable Wall dividing the chamber, a conduit communicating gas tank pressure to one side of the movable Wall and a` conduit communicating counter-pressure fromtl'ie container to the other side, a spring tending tomove thewall assisting the gas tankvpressure', avalve for venting the chamber on the counter-pressure side of the Wall operable by movement of the Wall upon a preponderance of counter-pressure in the chamber, and a valve admitting counter-pressure thereto operable by movement of the wall upon a preponderance of gas tank pressure.

22. In a bottle lling apparatus, a liquid supply` tank containing liquid under pressure of gas in the tank above the liquid surface, conduit means for conducting liquid from'the tank to a bottle to be lledga counter-pressure gas container containing gasrunder pressure different by a predesingle automatic means responsive to increase or decrease of tank'gas pressure for increasingV or decreasing respectively the counter-pressure for maintaining the said pressure dilerence substantially constant.

Ariannnarck W. MULLER. 

